Question

a basketball has a mass of 1 kg and is traveling 12 m/s.
what would happen to the velocity if the momentum of the basketball were cut in half?
○ it would be doubled.
○ it would be the same.
○ it would be cut in half.
○ it would be tripled.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the momentum formula

The formula for momentum \(p = mv\), where \(m\) is mass and \(v\) is velocity.

Step2: Analyze the relationship between momentum and velocity

Given \(m\) is constant (mass of the basketball doesn't change). If \(p\) becomes \(\frac{p}{2}\), from \(p = mv\) and \(\frac{p}{2}=m\times v_{new}\). Substituting \(p = mv\) into \(\frac{p}{2}=m\times v_{new}\), we get \(\frac{mv}{2}=m\times v_{new}\). Canceling out \(m\) (since \(m
eq0\)), we find \(v_{new}=\frac{v}{2}\).

Answer:

It would be cut in half.